In Sept'79 I was 15 years old. I was helping a buddy move some things out of his uncles house in Chicago. We had to drag an old ice box up from the basement. Inside this old GE where the ice trays were, we found this Great American Hall show and Englishtown '77... Wait for it... On 8-track!!
We played the shit out them and a few months later I saw my first shows 12/3/79. It has never sounded better. It is absolutely c r a c k l i n g with energy.

Idk I've always heard it put as Help>Slip>Frank!!! Maybe that's being picky too but...idk. Definitely a Masterpiece!!! And btw #6 "It Must Have Been the Roses" also contains "Eyes of the World".

Awesome. Thank you.
Love you Derek. Peace my brother.

Blues for Allah encore. Love this song.

The first time I heard this show I thought I was having a flashback or something because it was just so perfect. There's not a whole lot I can add to what everyone has said. One reason this is so incredibly groovy is because of the tone of Bobby's guitar and Keith's fender Rhodes. Bobby has like the perfect mix of chorus, flange, and phaser effects and I hear phaser on Keith's piano. For you non musicians I am talking about effect pedals that alter an instruments sound. Here, it's adding kind of a swirling, swishy kind of sound. Very crispy and cosmic. The two of them together blend into a beautiful sound scape on every tune. Bobby is really such a great guitarist. Check out Keith on big river. The sound quality is superb. Everyone shines here. Sometimes I'll just focus on one member during the show and follow them on their magical journey, then the next time I'll follow someone else. As a musician I can tell you that very rarely you will have a gig where everything clicks beyond your wildest expectations and it's truly electrifying. Those are the moments you spend your life chasing. I bet the Dead came off stage this night and were fucking rivited by what they had just done.

Words can’t add to this nearly flawless show. This is a legendary show. I agree with Every other commentator about this show. However, after listening to Winterland July ‘75 (though the sound quality of the remaining recordings are inferior on that show to thus one) I seem to prefer the song Blues For Allah without the lyrics. If the sound quality to the Winterland ‘75 show we’re better that version would be my go to for that tune. I would even take the Kezar SNACK show for Blues for Allah over the other versions but this is nit picking. I just think the overall tune is more powerful and less cheesy without the vocals. Other than that can’t say enough about this amazing show.

Help>Slip>Tower

Yeah.... :)

Sage and Spirit has the beginnings of Lost Sailor.

I wouldn't dis the Blues for Allah - it's a complicated song and they nail-it. Mellow - yes, but wow! It's frinkin great!

Oh yeah,the rest of the show is great too :)

This is a musical masterpiece

Other than Blues For Allah, an amazing show for a bunch of folk were supposedly taking a year off. This remains my favorite Eyes of the World. Great work by Jerry, and then Phil shines in the lengthy post tune jam. Had a tape of this show that I got from a buddy during the fall of 1975. We'd crank it up on his dad's stereo with its big JBL [Junk But Loud] speakers, get stoned to the gills, and hope against hope they'd tour regularly again. Thankfully they did. And thankfully they left behind a trove of tunes the likes of which will never be replicated.

Scintillating. This version is perfect for me.

We snuck in the back door of the GAMH and walked down hallways, following the sound of the music. I went through a door and suddenly was standing 5 feet away from Jerry. He gave me a WTF? look right before we jumped off stage into the crowd. After the amazing show, there was an announcement that everyone attending was invited to an after party at the Fairmont Hotel with the band. One of the greatest nights of my life!

So, an unnamed friend was down on Polk Street (God knows WHAT he was doing down there) and he noticed the marquee on the GAMH. He called Steve & Judy and they barreled on down and got inside. Me, I was down in Tucson with Sharon and the rest of that crew. We heard all about the show within a day or two and Gam showed up a couple weeks later with board tapes!!! Needless to say we were all FUCKING BLOWN AWAY! I still get chicken skin whenever I listen to this one. Can't rate it high enough.

Pure Bliss..Buckle and enjoy the ride~!

Undoubtedly one of the great shows. Interesting take on it in this article. http://www.relix.com/articles/detail/scrodingers_dead_the_grateful_deads_1975_retirement

and this show just keeps sounding better and better !!!

To answer someone's question below: Bill Graham's intro on the official CD was edited to remove his reference to Ron Rakow because Rakow ripped off Round Records and made off with the money. Phil reports this in his book and that Jerry was heavily troubled by this since Jerry brought Rakow into the fold to run Round Records.

Contrary to the lore that the Dead always blew the big ones (which does have some truth to it), they didn't blow this one. No, it was not a 300,000 person event or anything like that; just a small theater. But with the radio broadcast and the industry execs being invited, the band approached this as a major event for not only Round Records but their new music as well and prepared accordingly. The playing here is just so fine. It's not 73 or 74 anymore and that's OK. The changes in their style are obvious but they are still at the top of the game for a little while longer.

Even before that Blues for Allah encore, I'd give this 5 stars. It's just so *special* - you can tell from the quality and care of the playing, the recording (I myself have One from the Vault and have long listened to this version), Jerry's crystalline guitar - really, it'a all wonderful.

Blues for Allah is best appreciated when you compare it to the number of other times it was "jammed" out like this (zero). This isn't music so much as an extraordinarily vivid sound collage; one of my most treasured tracks in the band's entire history.

Stream this show here:

http://www.archive.org/serve/gd1975-08-13/gd1975-08-13.wma

it takes a minute or two to download.

I love this show! I have a vinyl copy of OFTV and listen to it often. One of my favourite Help->Slipknot->Franklin's. I don't ususally say a version of a song is my definitive favourite but I may just have to say it about this Eyes. There, I said it.

Buy this CD if you don't have it. You will wear it out. I have purchased this at least 5 different times (lost due to college, x-country trips, scratches, etc.). I never regret having a fresh copy of this recording. The Sugaree blows me away. Help Slip Franks is a top 3 all timer. The Other One is short but could be the sweetest. Music Never stopped is unreal. Keith playing his Rhodes and Jerry's fresh licks for that time give the band an energy that wasn't heard in '74. It was pure power. Then there is Phil. Dropping bombs the entire night.

An amazing show. Bravo.

one the absolute all time best shows ever! how in the hell did they pull this off after hardly playing together all year!? One from the Vault is essential...

I was 13 years old and what a way to introduce a young child into what became history in the making!
Sweet, Sweet, Sweet Music.
I hits a nerve in my soul.

I remember buying this CD set when it came out. I had, like most aspiring deadheads, been buying every possible studio/officially released tape I could and then, it all switched over to CD. I guess our forefathers also sighed when they switched from 8track or RealXReal. Well, I only bought the newly released stuff on CD... let's see there was that one with the clowns painted on it (hmmmm... without a net?) and then there was that tribute CD that had Dead songs performed by other musicians, with that killer intro of walking through the parking lot! Remember that?!

So, anyway, this was also one of the first CDs I bought. I remember being sort of confused. I have all these tapes (thank you tapers!) and now I'm going to pay more than the cost of a couple of blank Maxell XLsomethings and some of those hand drawn tape inserts that you pick up from some cool cat in the parking lot to buy a show that I already have? Well, I broke down and bought it and it was awesome! We used to hang out in my room in college and play it over and over and over.

Now, as listen to this show again after more than ten years, I'm floored.

Jerry tickles your spine with his fast finger work on King Solomon's Marbles (or what I always thought was called Stronger than Dirt).

Everything is so tight. Sounds so intimate. I can almost imagine myself there. I would love to have been there but, alas, I was still in diapers.

the introduction help slip frank is incredible and one could say almost perfect i love the goin down the road and the eyes is decent but i have heard way better short other one but not bad one there are few problems with the show but not quite stellar though very close

Jerry's feeling it, Keith is feeling it and Phil is definitely feeling it. This is as good as they get, out of this world jamming. Sugarmegs.org has come to the rescue and has got this one streaming as I write this. For help capturing streaming audio email me at ptoshman@yahoo.com. You cannot do without this show.

Seriously, it is! I along with everyone else here has listened to 1000's of hours of GD and very few shows are as phenominal as this one is. Please understand, this is NOT your mother's Greatful Dead. This is NOT a loosy goosy show at the Frost circa 85. This is tight, well rehearsed Grateful Dead, and they absolutely deliver the knockout punch. As an amateur guitarist/pianist i think this show really shows what masterful musicians they were. That Help/Slip is a VERY complicated piece of music and not only do they nail it, but it sounds like theyre in the STUDIO! the fact that this is a LIVE performance makes it all the more amazing. Also, this show also shows how peaked they were in terms of CREATING music. I mean, no offense to the newer stuff, but i was AT the first Foolish Heart/Victim show, and it was like "huh, yeah, this is pretty good stuff" You can hear through the Board on this show that people at this show were ABSOLUTELY BLOWN AWAY by the Help/Slip/Frank. This was the first fully complete version, with lyrics and people were in awe! This is how amazing of a band they were back then. That the "new stuff" was knocking people off thier seats! I would love to hear from a few people who were at this show and what thier impression was.
WITH ALL THIS BEING SAID, lets get down to facts: Arguably the BEST Help/Slip/Frank they ever did (Downs of Santa Fe; 83?...Buffalo 77??) BUT what alot of people DONT talk about is the ROUND N' ROUND. I challange ANYONE to find a better version of this song. It is absolutely brilliant with Jerry and Keith playing there faces off. This version really shows what a great swing band they could be! Oh and by the way, the sound quality is top notch, and Kieth is playing flawlessly and is getting INCREDIBLE sound out of his keyboard (moog?) I love that 1 lingering note that he hits right as the end of Slip Knot starts to kick in (you know the one i mean!).....im out

Forget about the intimate setting - this feels like your in a gargage with these guys.

This show truly is one of the best I've heard. Slipknot is awesome. All of this material is extremely Chick Corea influenced. Keith is playing an electric piano (sounds like a rhodes) and playing it incredibly. Jerry's gets a cool effect with his fuzz tone making it sound like a sax (solo on slipknot). This really is a cool show and it also presents a different side of the Dead. Its really experiment and nothing like what they were doing just a year earlier.

Front to back, this show makes the hair on my arms stand at attention. If you asked me to pick a gem out of this masterpiece, it'd be like asking which of your children is your favorite... but if you put a gun to my head, I'd say hands down it's the Crazy Fingers. The whole gang had some pent up magic that was itchin to be released this night. Download this show before you take another breath. It's soft, strong, sweet and true.

I've actually had a cassette of this show in my truck for years and didn't know what it was. The tape just had a handwritten "Grateful Dead" without other details. Have listened to it over and over and over again. Possibly my favorite tape, wearing out and now I know when it came from! Great!!!

For those of you new to The Dead, this is a show that will lead to your acceptance of The Grateful Dead as your lord and savior... well maybe not THAT much but at least The Dead will become one of your all time favorite bands! Officially released or otherwise, it should be a permanent entry in any discerning deadhead's music library.
I proudly and humbly submit a rating of Multiple Stars&Skulls.

One of my first boots back in 1978. Was going to college in Colorado and loved skiing to this. If you want it is for sale thru GDM. Though a different type of show, as good and as classic as Barton. A must have for any collector. Nearly perfect.

yep, this is "one from the vault", the very first of the vault series released. and its a fantastic show from start to finish. i really can't say enough. the highlights for me are the "eyes", and basically the whole 2nd set from "sugaree" > "sage and spirit". the opening of "the other one" coming out of "drums" is perfection; gives me chills. i have listened to this show many times. its worth getting the official release.

This is PERFECT. No doubt about it. The sound quality hits you the second Bill starts to introduce the band, and the intro is just cool with everyone joining in Help Is On The Way after their name is called.
The set itself is also perfect. 11 Stars. Eyes Of The World rocks. Most definately one of those shows you must, Must, MUST have!

Freakin sweet show!!! Other One Jam is out of this world!!!! Crazy Fingers is beautiful!

This is the first time that The Music Never Stopped was performed live!

This is a great show, but it was also released in 1991 as "One from the Vault" as a two-CD set. If you want to support the Dead, it's worth buying.

In the album notes, Dan Healy writes "When we completed the recording and mixing of the "Blues for Allah" studio album at Weir's studio, whcih this album was the maiden voyage for, we gathered up our instruments and equipment and moved to the Great American Music Hall. The idea was to perform live to the world, for the first time, "Blues for Allah" in celebration of not only the completion of the album but also the beginning of Grateful Dead Records...This represents the beginning of the release of the vault tapes."

This show is freakin awsome! Although they didn't play many shows at all in '75, this one makes up for it. One of the best shows I own. The Help on the way/Slipknot!>Franklin's tower is PERFECT. The setlist is pretty strange and quite rare for the Dead, they're playing all their new "Blues for Allah" material. Bill Grahm's intro is tight esp. when he announces "Mr. Phillip Lesh" and Phil jumps in on the intro to Help on the way. Everyones playing is amazing. Released as One From the Vault in 1991. A must have show for ANY dead fan!!

This is a great show, as all have said. Track 6 on disk one is bothe musta bean daroses and aiz of dawurld, so all following tracks move up one (9 total tracks for disk one). I'm lovin this download.

To Thanksgiving78: This is the Make Believe Ballroom boot that you asked about. A friend had the vinyl copy which he recorded onto cassette for me. Even the poor sound quality of that recording could do nothing to diminish the beauty of the music. This has long been one of my favorites. As for the show, I can't add much to what has already been said in previous reviews. The sound of this copy is pretty good. Weather this copy or the official release,which for obvious reasons, has impeccable sound, this show is a MUST HAVE!!!! 5 stars not enough!!!!!

ENJOY!!

Was this the show that was released as a vinyl bootleg "Live From the Make Believe Ballroom" back in the day? Sound quality on my scratchy old vinyl was good enough to hear Bobby say, "Something's on fire back there and I don't wanna know what," right before Music Never Stopped. If this is that show, I remember the "Eyes" being one of my favorites.

Stellar sound. A+...........You want this one. Stop searching for the perfect show of '75. This is it!! Now I undrstand the difference between th 75-79 era and the 80's. Crisp, clear, sweet.

Just as a frame of reference, the boys play drums in both sets this night. (...) (...) (...)

This is the show I was listening to in my dorm when..."I got it!". A few years later the first CD from one from the Vault was stolen along with every Bob Dylan album he had released at that point. I had been unable to find it again...not even checking here because I thought I couldn't get it (the band had released it already). Surprise!!!! It's here and I will listen to this show until my CD player will no longer recogize the disc any longer...then I will may another copy. My first born child will inherit (?SP?) this show when I die!

How is it possible that this is on the archive?

I thought if a show was released by the band, only AUD recordings could be posted?

Just wondering...

Oh, about the show... anyone who has been into the Dead for more than two minutes knows what this show is all about. This is definitely one of the answers to the "If you were stranded on an island" question. If you don't already have the Vault release, you'd be crazy to pass this one up! I agree with everyone here that five stars is simply not enough for this masterpiece.

this is amaizing!! as if recoreded in a studio with the audience dubbed over,.. some secret CIA stuff, maybe? NAW! IT'S THE LIVE DEAD!! everything is so on in this show it sounds as if the boys will actualy transcend, levitating to nirvana... u need this show!

Could a venue be more appropriately named for a band that has single-handedly filled half my hard drive? With shows like this, I am beginning to worry that I may never get around to listening to them all. I am submitting this review hoping that the sheer number of postings will encourage more people to check it out. There are not enough superlatives to describe this show. Get it and come up with a few new ones of your own.

this is my favorite show everything is perfect
i have the version they taped off the board onto
16 trak ampex then made digital
tis great it clips hard once on blues for allah
i'd like to get ahold of the master
heh heh ya right
this is a must have 11 out of 5 stars
quit reading this and get it now
this is a direct order

i think this was the first live grateful dead i ever heard(except for the live version of lovelight on best of).....and man after a week of listening to it i knew every note. crazy fingers->drums is my fav. of all time.

ya know....i love you guys @ the archive but 5 stars just isn't enough for some of theese shows

11 stars
dl this show then buy 2 of the vault releasees just to help support 4 of the coolest multi millionaires on the planet.

It starts out a little loose on Help On the Way (understandably so since the material was new) but by the time it gets to Slipknot! the band pulls it together and they just jam from their on. Awesome jammed out versions of these songs. If you like Blues For Allah, you'll LOVE this. Download this show! It's kind of like having a Blues For Allah+ and you get a few extra songs too. Again, it's pretty awesome!

was not at the show but discovered it and wow ;)

ive seen a show at this venue and i know what goes on in there, theres energy runnin all throughout the dance floor running up around to the balcony's

and phils been there a few times he jammed franklins tower with umphrey's mcgee :) haah peace

Call me crazy, but until now I've had an old hissy analog of this show long since misplaced and this download completes my 75 collection. I've heard the officially released cd plenty of times from diff ppl's cd's and of course it sounds just exactly perfect but this fm stands tall, nice and crispy with Phil mixed real nice. The show itself, its worth repeating, is just exactly perfect! :)

Always found it odd that Healy et al. edited out Bill Graham's comments about Ron Rakow from the Vault release. Bad blood there?

Music to my ears.

Keep the archive alive, as well as the music.

Love it...c'est magnifique. Correct note about the song order after roses, took me a few minutes to decipher as well since I did not see the note right away.

I love the sound of this copy. Even though One from the Vault is the ultimate copy of the show...this version has a raw feel that is a great compliment to the 1ftVault release. Phil sounds wonderful on this mix. Although a bit flatter in sound, it's really cool to listen to this version.

This is a great show no doubt, but I wouldn't bother downloading this. Instead, buy the vault release that is lovelingly re-mastered (and remixed) and is stunning to listen to.

Excellent quality. Note that both Roses and Eyes of the World are in Disk 1, Track 6. Concert ends with Blues for Allah. Text file has song order correct, but EOTW is at the end of track 6, not track 7. All track numbers are one off from there down.

Haven't listened to the show yet But anyone who was LUCKY ENOUGH to be there knows just how GRATE this show was! Lost my copy years ago and never thought I would hear it again. Now I can REST in PEACE. Thank all of you "FOR A REAL GOOD TIME"